What Divers Should Know About Meagre

The meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a truly impressive croaker capable of reaching significant dimensions, with some individuals growing up to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) in length and weighing over 100 kilograms. This substantial species is characterized by its pearly-silver to brownish body, often with a bronze hue dorsally, and a notable yellow-gold or salmon pink coloration inside its mouth. These powerful fish are native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, extending from Norway down to the DR Congo, and are also prevalent across the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Divers in these regions often encounter meagre in inshore waters and on the continental shelf, typically over sandy bottoms near rock formations. They are most commonly observed between 15 and 100 meters, though their full depth range extends from 1 to 200 meters. Listen carefully when submerged, especially during spring and summer; male meagre produce a distinctive grunting sound by vibrating their swim bladder, an acoustic display that can be heard up to 30 meters away. Furthermore, deliberately sunk wrecks frequently attract large schools, creating excellent opportunities for observation.